Bertie Ahern rejoins Fianna Fail

Hotblack Desiato

He possibly undergoing some treatment based on blushed facial appearance.

Doubt it was an honesty transplant anyway.

Strumms

Lots of photos have him looking very aged all of a sudden.

Larbre34

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120222328#Comment_120222328

Stay classy.

But no, I don't think he is in any particular ill health, his ruddy reddened complexion is just that of a frequent drinker getting into his 70s.

He always had that, but spent loads of taxpayers money on excellent makeup to neutralise that, during the years he was Taoiseach.

I know a few hardcore FF members who are delighted with this decision, and see it as a token gesture of solidarity for a member who was fundamentally involved in the nuance required of the peace process; the inward investment of tech and pharma into Ireland, world leading social welfare supports, and a society that has its challenges but remains up there with the very best in the world.

We are a better country for having had Bertie as Taoiseach. If he is nominated by FF as President then I will vote for him - unless FG can persuade Enda to run.

StupidLikeAFox

I hope he runs for president and gets absolutely battered

Larbre34

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120222366#Comment_120222366

Not a hope of him being a candidate.

Not even the hope of a hope.

Annasopra

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120222219#Comment_120222219

Basically they could stab him in the back like he did to Albert Reynolds....

Karppi

Comments earlier in this thread about Bertie’s lack of a bank account when Minister of Finance, and how ludicrous that was, have made me realise there’s possibly some sort of political malaise about this phenomenon. Anyway, it’s clearly spread to the UK where a previous Chancellor of the Exchequer felt I was ok not to disclose he had a £5 million settlement - including a fine - with HMRC for carelessness in his tax return.

It’s everywhere!

Cluedo Monopoly

Bertie hasn't ruled out the presidency. The people that vote for him are exactly the voter FFG love - blinkered and gullible. They also keep daddy and mummy happy.

Beechwoodspark

Other than “Fianna Fáil to the arsehole” types, - who are increasingly rare - this is going down really badly with the rest of the country

Allinall

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120222769#Comment_120222769

In fairness everything goes down badly with the rest of the country.

They’re never happy.

Furze99

Interesting interview with Bertie on radio this morning. On the one hand, he stated several times that he's now just an ordinary member of FF. But on other, he's all over the country and abroad passing on his views and trying to 'sort' issues around Brexit and NI etc. Struck me as slightly contradictory. But fair enough, carry on Bertie. Run for the Aras and keep that buffoon Joe Duffy in his place.

HalloweenJack

Just have a look through his Wikipedia entry and you can see some of the deluded comments he has made over the years. He seems to have decided in his mind that his version of things is the truth and he won't be told differently, a Johnson/Trump of his time.

pjordan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120223038#Comment_120223038

Yep, what struck me most about that interview was the benovelence of Bertie, on how widely he spreads his presence and his advice. I wonder is he funding all that personally from his handsome pension, or does he attract a lucrative appearance fee and travel expenses for everyone of these interventions he makes?

In time to come, Like his Mentor CJH, he'll be able to say "I did the state some service!!!" And some will lap it up too unfortunately...

Cluedo Monopoly

Don't you worry folks, the Irish taxpayer is still getting value for money from Bertie. No need for lucky horse bets anymore...

Bertie Ahern and Enda Kenny claim €150k bill for secretarial assistance (msn.com)

Bertie Ahern and Enda Kenny claim €150k bill for secretarial assistance

More than €150,000 has been spent on providing secretarial support for two former taoisigh over the past year.

The Department of the Taoiseach has been paying about €12,700 every month for secretarial assistance for Bertie Ahern and Enda Kenny.

According to figures released under Freedom of Information legislation all the money was paid to a company called Tech Skills Resources Ltd by the department.

Bills for Mr Ahern amounted to just under €70,000.

----------

70,000 in one year. Nice. Wakey wakey.

Jim2007

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120221158#Comment_120221158

Like I said no point in engaging with this stuff…. You have a GDP per capita of one of the top 10 countries in the world and no matter how you dress it up that’s a lot of wealth coming into the country. From the end of the last recession to the start of the pandemic Irish debt was paid down from about 124% to 78% and the taxpayers did not even notice it.

Hotblack Desiato

Bertie's decentralisation fiasco hasn't been mentioned yet.

Over a billion euro spunked to make public services less efficient. But FF-connected landowners and developers made out like bandits at the taxpayer's expense and sure isn't that the main thing. It also "just happened" that the areas targeted were marginal constituencies where FF hoped to make gains - openly buying votes.

Corrupt to the very core.

Cluedo Monopoly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120223278#Comment_120223278

Paid down? Really? Or did GDP go up due to all the MNC numbers?

Let's consider Bertie's role here.

In 2006 Irish public debt was 44 billion, 24.6% of GDP. Consider that with your numbers.

Now before you get all excited, we are still in a precarious position.

Ireland’s public debt rises to one of highest in the world per capita – The Irish Times

Ireland’s public debt rises to one of highest in the world per capita

Debt increased by more than 11% at the end of 2022 to around €44,000 for every person

The State’s debt stood at €226 billion, up from €203 billion just prior to the pandemic. This is an estimated 86 per cent of national income.

The report said there are “significant risks” to the public finances, with both immediate and medium-term challenges pressuring the State’s fiscal position, and “clear vulnerabilities” relating to our dependence on corporation tax receipts.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120223278#Comment_120223278

Mostly All built on sand lad.

And that’s some bill that needs to be paid back.

xl500

He lied under oath to a tribunal

Billcarson

It's like some sort of joke that Bertie Bollox rejoining ff. An even bigger joke are those that think its good. Twilight zone stuff.

SEPT 23 1989

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120223190#Comment_120223190

that’s a lot of brown envelopes

Bishop of hope

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120222366#Comment_120222366

He looks battered now as he is.

Just an ordinary member?

https://m.independent.ie/videos/bertie-ahern-doesnt-rule-out-standing-for-election-for-president-42335552.html

MegamanBoo

I'm not up on the internal ongoings of the FF side of FFG but they must be near imploding are they?

Conceivably they could fall behind independents in the next few years.

And they bring out the architect of their downfall, for what, a lap of honour???

Karppi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120223152#Comment_120223152

Three individuals who tend to prove that the electorate is not competent enough to vote. Maybe the ancient Roman citizenship should apply.

from wiki

The cives Romani were full Roman citizens, who enjoyed full legal protection under Roman law. Cives Romani were sub-divided into two classes:

• The non optimo iure who held the ius commercii and ius connubii (rights of property and marriage)
• The optimo iure, who held these rights as well as the ius suffragii and ius honorum (the additional rights to vote and to hold office).

Bring it on!

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120225072#Comment_120225072

By the sound of things a few TDs/Ministers have been seeking his counsel. Wouldn't be surprised to see him elbow his way back up the ranks.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Bertie is stained and soiled by his lies and corruption. The putrid stench of greed hangs about him. He has no place in public life, he should realise it

MegamanBoo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120226042#Comment_120226042

I think they only have the one rank now - nohoper.

Bishop of hope

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120226065#Comment_120226065

Well you have all the soundbites needed to denounce him. The world is full of, and unfortunately, greatly influenced by his like. A greedy corporate world where a profit and a premium are what drives the wheels. They all want a "trifle" somewhere along the line.

Karppi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120227728#Comment_120227728

Mary Berry’s trifle? Or Chocolate trifle?